Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio speaks during a campaign rally in Mesa, Arizona October 27, 2012. Arpaio is running for a sixth term and will challenge former Phoenix police officer Paul Penzone for Maricopa County Sheriff during the general election November 6. REUTERS/Joshua Lott (UNITED STATES – Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS USA PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION)

PHOENIX — The self-proclaimed toughest sheriff in America won a sixth term after facing his most bruising re-election contest. Republican incumbent Joe Arpaio was challenged by Democrat Paul Penzone and independent Mike Stauffer in the Maricopa County sheriff’s race.

The themes of cracking down on crime and illegal immigration have been popular with voters in the past, but that narrative was turned against Arpaio this year. The two retired officers challenging Arpaio accused metro Phoenix’s longtime sheriff of focusing too heavily on investigations that bring him publicity and ignoring many of the law enforcement duties he was hired to do.

The 80-year-old Arpaio has been dogged by revelations that his office failed to adequately investigate hundreds of sex-crimes cases — including dozens of alleged child molestations — and allegations that his deputies have racially profiled Latinos in his trademark immigration patrols.

A federal judge heard one of the lawsuits alleging racial profiling this summer and hasn’t yet ruled. The lawsuit filed by a small group of Latinos will serve as a precursor for a similar yet broad civil rights lawsuit against Arpaio by the U.S. Department of Justice.

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